Circuit-changing apparatus.



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UNITED STATES HARRY Gr. WEBSTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOR TOSTROMBERG- Patented November 15, 1904;.

PATENT OEEicE.

CARLSON TELEPHONE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CIRCUIT-CHANGING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 77 5,230, datedNovember 15, 1904:. Application filed December 7, 1903. "-erial No.184,073. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LHARRY G. VVEBSTER, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful (iImprovementin Circuit-Changing Apparatus, of which the following is afull, clear, concise,

and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,forming a part of this specification. 4

My invention relates to circuit-changing apparatus, particularly to thatclass known as relays, in which a plurality of actuatingsprings aremoved between other contactsprings upon attraction of an armature whichis mechanically associated with the actuatingsprings; and my inventionhasfor its object improved means for rendering said springs more readilyaccessible to inspection when the relay is in a fixed positionforinstance, on a telephone-switchboard. i

The relay of my construction consists of a core about which is disposedan energizingcoil and from which members of magnetic material extend.perpendicularly and are spanned by an armature, which armature Ipreferably spring-hinge to one of said members and the forward end ofwhich extends over the other member. This spring-hinge serves tonormally prevent the armature from closing the magnetic circuit; butupon energization of the coil the armature is drawn toward itsassociated member to close the magnetic circuit through the core, theperpendicular members, and the armature. By this construction a verylimited air-gap may be obtained, thus producing great power andefliciency with aminimum of energizing-current. Below the armature andparallel thereto may be disposed switching-springs of any number andarrangement, actuating-springs of which are mechanically connected withthe swinging end of the armature, the retractile force of saidactuating-springs serving also to maintain the armature away from itsassociate pole member when the coil is not energized, and theactuating-spring may then engage other contact-springs to establishdesired circuits.

- Upon attraction of the armature the actuating-springs may engagealternate contactsprings and break connection. with the othercontact-springs. i 7

-As a means for associating the armature with the springs I provideadistance-piece interposed between the swinging end of the armature andthe actuating spri'ngs, and to render the switch spring-contactsaccessible from the end of the relay I construct this distancepiece tobe readily removable, it being held in place merely by the pressureagainst the ends thereof of the springhinged armature and theactuating-springs. Pins extend from the ends of said distance-piece intoapertures in the armature end and the actuating-springs to preventself-removal of the distance-piece, and when it is desired to remove thedistancepiece a pressure thereof against'the actuatingsprings willwithdraw the other end from the armature-aperture, and the piece canthen be readily removed to layibare the ends of the actuating-springs.

By reference to the drawings my invention will be more clearlyunderstood.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation View of the relay. Fig. 2 is abottom view thereof; Fig. 3, an end view thereof, and Fig. 4 is anisolated view of the distance-piece.

Like characters of reference refer to like parts throughout thedifferent figures.

A core 1 is provided with an energizing-coil 2, disposed betweeninsulating ends 2 2, and L-shaped pole members 3 and 4, of magneticmaterial,extend perpendicularly upward from said core at the ends of thecoil 2, the base part 5 of the L-shaped members extending inwardlytoward each other. An armature 6 is adapted to close a magnetic circuitthrough the core and the members 3 and 4: and at its rear end isprovided with a spring-hinge 7, which may be riveted to the end of thearmature and secured to the member 3 by means of a screw 8. The upwardend of the armature extends over the end 5 of the pole-piece 4. Anadjusting-screw 9 extends through an aperture 10 in the armature andengages the part 5, by means of which adjusting-screw the air-gapbetween the armature and pole member 4: may be regulated, thespring-hinge serving to normally maintain the armature against the headof the screw. A mountingpiece 11 connects the insulating ends 2' 2 atthe opposite side from the armature, and switching mechanism 12,supported by said mounting, may consist of actuating-springs 13 13, ofnormal contact-springs 1 1 let, and alternate eontact-springs 15 15. Adistancepiece in the shape of a plate 16, of insulating material,extends between the swinging end of 2 the armature and theactuating-springs 13 13, and upon energization of the coil Qthe armature is attracted to push against the distancepiece 16, whereby theactuating-springs are moved from the engagement with the normalcontact-springs into engagement with the alternate contact-swings, theretractile force of the actuating-springs helping upon deener gizationof the coil to restore the armature to its normal position.

In order to render ready access to the contacts at the ends of thesprings when the relay is rigidly mounted in a switchboard, forinstance, I cause the distance-piece 16, which when in position hidesthese contacts, to be readlly removable to lay bare these contacts forinspection, cleaning, and repair purposes. Itherefore provide pins 1717, extending from the upper and lower ends of the distancepiece, toengage an aperture 18 in the swinging end of the armature and apertures19 through the ends of the actuating-springs, the apertures being largeenough to allow free disposition of the pins therein. To remove thedistancepiece, it is merely necessary to push it downwardly against theactuating-springs until the pin at the upper end leaves the aperture inthe armature, when the piece may be readily removed and may again bereplaced in the same n'ianner.

I do not wish to be limited to the precise construction as described, aschanges may readily be made in the structure without departing from thescope of the invention.

1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Paten t- 1. In a deviceof the class described, the combination with a core provided withpolepieces, of an energizing-coil for said core, an armature hinged toone of said pole-pieces and extending over the other pole piece,switching mechanism disposed below said ari'nature, a distance-platedisposed between the swinging end of said armature andactuatingsprii'igs of said switching mechanism, apertures through theswinging end of said armature and said actuating-springs, and pinsextending from said distance-plate for loosely engaging said aperture,whereby said distance-plate is readily removable.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a coreprovided with polepieces, of an energizing-coil for said core, anarmature disposed above said coil and substantially parallel to saidcore, a spring-hinge l l l l l l i i securing one end of said armatureto one 01 said pole-pieces, the swinging end of said armature extendingover the other pole-piece, switch mechanism disposed below saidarmature, a distance-plate of insulating material disposed between theswinging end of said armature and actuating-springs of said switchmechanism, apertures in the swinging end of said armature and saidactuating-springs, and pins extending from the edges of said plate forloosely engaging said apertures, whereby said plate may be readilyremoved.

3. .In a device of the class described, the combination with a coreprovided with L- shaped pole-pieces extending perpendicularly therefromand toward each other, of an energizing-coil for said core, an armaturedisposed above said coil and core and substantially parallel thereto, aspring-hinge securing the rear end of said armature to one of saidpole-pieces,

the swinging end of said armature extending over the other pole-piece,switch mechanism disposed below said coil, a distance-plate ofinsulating material disposed between the swinging end of said armatureand actuatingsprings of said switch mechanism, apertures in the swingingend of said armature and actuating-springs, and pins extending from theengaging edges of said distance plate for loosely engaging saidapertures, whereby said plate may be readily removable.

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a coreprovided with L- shaped pole-pieces extending 1)611')BI1(llCUl2tll Ytherefrom and toward each other, of an ener giZing-coil for said core,an armature disposed at one side of said coil and substantially parallel to the core, a spring-hinge securing the rear end of said armatureto one of said polepieces, the swinging end of said armature extendingover the other pole-piece, said springhinge servingnormally to maintainthe swinging end of the armature away from the associated pole-piece, anadjusting-screw for engaging the air-gap between the swinging end ofsaid armature and the associated pole-piece, switching mechanismdisposed at the opposite side of said coil, a distance-plate ofinsulating material disposed between the swinging end of the armatureand actuating-springs of said switching mechanism, apertures in theswingingend of said armature and actuating-springs, and pins extendingfrom the edges of said plate for loosely engaging said apertures,whereby said plate may be readily removable.

In witness whereof I. hereunto subscribe my name this 5th day ofDecember, A. l). 1903.

HARRY G. \VEBSTER.

Vitnesses:

CHARLEs J. SCHMIDT, LEONARD WV. NOVANDER.

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